On 31 December 1966, the band announced that a new frontman, vocalist Ellis Grant Smith, would replace Eddie Spencer, and that guitarist Jim Pauley would take over from Les Morris.
Shortly after, the band's advisor, Brian "Otis" Ayers[3] -- who had earlier played with Ralph Miller in Las Vegas showband The Beau Keys -- replaced Jerry Mann on sax.
In the fall of 1967, the band recorded its debut single, an R&B version of "Keep On Running", previously a hit for The Spencer Davis Group, at Toronto music mogul Art Snider’s Sound Canada studios in Don Mills, Ontario.
Backed with "Her Own Life", an original composition by Grant Smith and organist Val Stevens, "Keep On Running" was released in January, 1968, on early indie label Boo!
Both singles were recorded with guest sax player and de facto musical director Steve Kennedy, who in early 1968 flew down to Boston to join the band full-time while it was on tour.
Drummer Sonny "Jiggs" Bernardi (from The Spirit Revue) and keyboard player Josef Chirowski (from various bands, including Mandala and The Power Project) came in as replacements and remained until February 1970 when they were recruited to join Crowbar.